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For
Election for 2009 only - This
Memorandum cancels all previous issues.
I.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
The
Rhodes Trustees have instituted two (2) Rhodes Scholarships tenable
at the University of Oxford to be awarded to candidates from the Commonwealth
Caribbean as follows:
- The
Jamaica Rhodes Scholarships, available to candidates from Jamaica
only; and
- The
Commonwealth Caribbean Rhodes Scholarship, available to
all Caribbean candidates, excluding Jamaicans:
After
election, a successful candidate has still, however, to be found a
place at an Oxford College. There is no guarantee of a place and the
award of the scholarship is not confirmed by the Rhodes Trustees until
the Scholar-Elect has been accepted for admission by the College.
Election to the Scholarship, once confirmed, is normally for two years
but the scholarship may be held for one year only, depending upon
the degree programme pursued by the scholar.
The following
points should be noted carefully:
- Scholars
can enter Oxford for -
- A one-year
taught Masters degree, followed by another in their second
year subject to satisfactory outcome of the first year;
- A two-year
MPhil.Subject to Department agreement on the basis of
performance in the MPhil, a third year of funding may
be given to convert the MPhil into a DPhil (but see importan
caveat in 2 below);
- A DPhil
by direct entry through the P(robationer) R(esearch) S(tudent)
status with a third year of funding dependent upon satisfactory
report from supervisors;
- A BA
with Senior Status (two years). The Trust will not fund
more than two years for a BA.
Scholarships
are for two years. Scholars may leave after a one-year Masters,
but this is not encouraged. A third year of funding is available
at the complete discretion of the trustees, ony to those (1)
who have gone directly into DPhil research, (2) who have completed
an MSc or MSt in one year as a preliminary to doing research
in the same field, (3) who have completed the two-year MPhil
and are seeking to convert to DPhil.
- However,
from the entering class of 2006, the University is requiring
four years of fees from anyone entering a DPhil having previously
done a Master's in Oxford. The requirement does not extend
to those doing a DPhil straight from the beginning (via PRS)
who are still liable for only three years' of fees. The Trust
will not pay fees or stipend for a fourth year and Rhodes
Scholars-elect should be fully aware of that liability. In
cases where a fourth year liability exists, the Trust will
only accord a third year of funding where it is shown at the
end of the second year that the Scholar can finance from elsewhere
the liability for the fourth year.
It is clear that Scholars can be admitted to DPhil(PRS) in the
Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences and the Division
of Medical Sciences. The Division of Social Sciences and the
Division of Humanities require all graduate students to go via
the Master's route and, therefore, Scholars entering those areas
will be liable for four years of fees it they wish to pursue
a DPhil.
- The Trust
does not give scholarships which allow study for the MBA.
- Scholarships
are awarded for entry in the following October. The Trust
will not normally allow deferral, except in the case of students
studying medicine who have to complete residency requirements
in their own country immediately following their medical degree.
Any Scholar-elect who cannot come in the October following
their election or who has not been accepted into a Department/Faculty
and/or College will normally forfeit the Scholarship.
The
Rhodes Trustees will pay all University and college fees, exclusive
of board and lodging, direct to the college concerned. The Scholar
will receive a personal allowance of no less than £11,000
per annum for the duration of the Scholarship, which is expected
to take care of board and lodging and other maintenance costs.
The
Trust will assist the Scholar to meet such travel expenses as
are incurred to and from Oxford, provided a letter of explanation
as to how travel is being arranged is addressed directly to
the Warden of Rhodes House, Oxford for his consideration.
Formerly,
only unmarried candidates prior to the end of a scholar's first year
of tenure. Since June 1995, marriage could apply for Rhodes scholarships,
and a scholarship was forfeited by marriage is no longer a bar to
applying for, or holding, a Rhodes Scholarship. However, married candidates
should bear in mind that the scholarship stipend is intended to support
one person, and that the Trust takes no financial responsibility for
the support of a scholar's spouse. Moreover, spouses who are not British
citizens may find it difficult to obtain permission to undertake paid
work in England.
2.
CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY
- One
of three alternatives applies:
Either
(i) The candidate must be a citizen of those countries that have gained
independence from Great Britain (Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize,
Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia,
St. Vincent);.
Or
(ii) The candidate must be a Commonwealth Dependent Territories citizen
of Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, Anguilla, Cayman Islands, British
Virgin Islands;
Or
(iii) One of the candidate's parents must have been domiciled and
resident in one or more of these territories for at least five years
immediately preceding 1st January in the year of the candidature,
or, in the event of both being dead, was domiciled and resident in
one of these territories for at least five years prior to his or her
death.
The
Candidate must:
- Have
been educated in one or more of the above territories for a least
five years between the ages of nine and twenty.
- Have
passed his or her Nineteenth (19th) birthday and not passed his or
her Twenty-fifth birthday (25th) by 1st October, 2009.
- Have
undertaken academic training sufficiently advanced to assure the completion
of a Bachelor's Degree by 1st October, 2009.
Candidates with dual citizenship may not apply
in more than one of the countries of which they are citizens.
Where
there is doubt, the Trustees reserve complete discretion to determine
the eligibility or otherwise of the candidate.
3.
BASIS OF SELECTION
Subject to confirmation by the Rhodes Trustees
election for a Rhodes Scholarship will be made by the Committee of
Selection.
In
considering applications, Committees of Selection will have regard
to those qualities which Cecil Rhodes expressly listed in order to
define the Scholar he desired:-
Proven
intellectual and academic achievement of a high standard is the first
quality required to show integrity of character, sympathy for and
protection of the weak, the ability to lead, and the energy to use
their talents to the full.
Mr.
Rhodes believed that the last of these qualities was the best tested
through participation and success in sports. Participation in varsity
sports is not essential if applicants are able to demonstrate in other
ways the physical vigor which will enable Rhodes Scholars to make
an effective contribution to the world around them. Such a contribution
Mr. Rhodes clearly expected in expressing the hope that Rhodes Scholars
would come to: "esteem the performance of public duties as (their)
highest aim."
Financial
need does not give a special claim to a Rhodes Scholarship nor should
the question of race or religion be a disqualification therefor.
The
Committee will summon to a personal interview such candidate it considers
necessary to see. Save in the most exceptional circumstances, no candidate
will be appointed without such an interview.
In
the absence of suitably qualified candidates, no election will be
made by the Committee.
The
interviews will take place in Jamaica, for the Jamaica Rhodes Scholarship;
and, in Barbados for the Commonwealth Caribbean Rhodes Scholarship.
Candidates invited for interview residing outside of Barbados may
apply to the Secretary for financial assistance to travel from their
country of origin within the Caribbean region to Barbados and return,
provided that the travel is not fuunded by their University or other
sponsorship source.
4.
METHOD OF APPLICATION
A candidate
is required to submit the following material:
- A
birth certificate (certified copy)
- "O"
level, "A" Level, CAPE or CXC certifications or other certified evidence
of subjects studied and examinations passed (including the original
certificate of having passed an examination which fulfils the Oxford
admission requirements);
- In
case of University degrees, an original of a transcript by
the Registrar or Chief Administrative Officer should be submitted.
- A
signed statement by the candidate (of approximately, 1,000 words in
length) making a declaration of general interest and activities pursued,
the course of study it is proposed to follow at Oxford, and the character
of the work aimed at in later-life. (If the candidate has left school
before applying for a Rhodes Scholarship, then it should be stated
what occupation has been pursued).
- Reference
to six persons, of which number, at least four can speak to the candidates
recent academic performance (In addition to including their names
in the application, candidates are now required to contact their intended
referees directly and request that letters of reference be forwarded
by them directly to the Secretary. It is the responsibility of each
candidate to follow-up with their referees to ensure that the letters
have been sent off to the Selection Committee. Please see "Guidance
for referees" below. The Secretary reserves full right to contact
referees with a view to confirming the meaning or veracity of any
information supplied);
- A
medical certificate on the prescribed form supplied herewith;
- Three
photographs, unmounted, approximately 6cm. X 6cm. Amateur snapshots
will not be accepted;
- Three
copies of a resume (not more than two foolscap pages long) setting
out the candidate's educational history, examinations passed, achievements
and awards and personal information.
5.
PROCEDURE AFTER ELECTION
5.1 On
receiving notice of provisional election the Scholar must immediately
write to the Warden, Rhodes House, Oxford stating the College to which
the Scholar desires to obtain addmission and the course to which he/she
is applying. Special forms for this purpose will be supplied to the
Scholar-elect by the Secretary of the Selection Committee, and it
is important that it be forwarded to Rhodes House without delay. The
Warden's Telephone is OXFORD (01865 270902) and fax number is (01865)270914.
5.2
The Scholar will begin residence at Oxford, in October 2009. Postponements
cannot be sanctioned save in exceptional circumstances and with
the express permission of the Rhodes Trustees.
5.3 Subject
to the consent of the College to which admittance has been gained,
the Scholar may read for the Oxford B.A. in any of the Final Honour
Schools. Alternatively, subject to the consent of the College and
the relevant Faculty, the Scholar, if qualified by previous training,
may read for a higher degree such as M. Litt. B.C.L., B Phil. M.Sc.,
M. Phil., or D. Phil.
5.4 All
Final Honour Schools2* at Oxford lead to the B.A. degree.
Candidates who have obtained a University degree, provided that they
have pursued at the University in question a course of study extending
over three years at least, are eligible for senior status at Oxford
which exempts them from all preliminary and intermediate examinations,
and makes it possible for them to take their Final Honor School, and
B.A. degree in two years.
5.5 Even
though a scholar is permitted, by University rules, to take an Honor
School in two years, a College may advise that a third year is academically
advisable in the particular case, in such a case the Trustees will
provide a third year of funding conditional on good work during the
first two years.
5.6
A medical student of any University may be admitted to Senior Status
before a final degree has been taken, provided that the course has
extended over at least three years and all examinations incidental
thereto have been passed.
5.7 Scholars
are expected to be full time students during the tenure of the scholarship.
5.8 Tenure
of other awards in conjunction with a Rhodes Scholarship is not permitted
without prior consultation with the Warden, Rhodes House.
5.9 The
first installment of the Scholarship will be paid at the beginning
of the Scholar's first term at Oxford. No request for earlier payments
will be considered.
5.10 Information
about Oxford Colleges and courses will be found in the Oxford University
Prospectus and Graduate Prospectus and on the University's web site
www.ox.ac.uk. The Oxford University
Examinations Degrees. A copy of the Examination Decrees will be issued
to the Scholar-elect after election. Information about the Rhodes
Trust generally may be found at its website, www.rhodestrust.com
.
5.11 Candidates
should see to it that four out of his/her six referees write about
his/her academic preparation, ability and attainments (as well as
the other Rhodes Scholar virtues).
5.12 Any
candidate hoping to attempt clinical research at Oxford must have
fulfilled all the necessary obligations - the Medical Council requires
evidence of having fulfilled the necessary professional experience;
that is, before granting temporary registration the Council requires
them to have completed overseas an approved internship of twelve months
duration or equivalent appointments. Scholars who desire to pursue
a course in Clinical Medicine are advised to write the Warden immediately
after selection.
5.13 Two
samples of written work must be submitted by applicants wishing to
read for any degree (B.A. or Advanced) in any Arts or Social Studies
subject (i.e. in any subject except Psychology or a medical or scientific
subject). The samples of written work should be related to the subject
you hope to study. Candidates for graduate degrees in Philosophy must
submit essays on philosophical subjects. They should be of approximately
2,000 words each and may be essays or part of a longer work. The samples
should be in English and preferably typed.
5.14 Copies
of this memorandum and further information can be obtained from the
Secretary Mr. Peter Goldson, 21 East Street, Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.
Tel: (876) 922-5960 or Fax: (876) 922-7575 who acts as Secretary
to the Committee of Selection or from THE WARDEN, RHODES HOUSE, OXFORD
OX13RG, ENGLAND Telegraphic address, "RHOTOTRUST, OXFORD." Tel: (01865)
270-902
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